Welcome to the Big Molecule Watch!

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Goodwin’s award-winning Big Molecule Watch is the best resource for daily updates and analyses of regulatory issues, litigation, legislation, and other news in the world of biologics, biosimilars and related technologies. The editors of this blog have collectively been watching and engaging with the world of biologics and biosimilars (“big molecules”) since before the inception of the biosimilar industry in the U.S.  With extensive experience representing clients at all stages of a biologic’s or biosimilar’s lifecycle, from research and development, to patents, to regulatory application and approval, and through litigation and appeals, we are excited to share our observations and insights as the industry and the law continues to develop in this exciting area.

This blog focuses on “big molecules” as opposed to “small molecules.” Small molecule drugs have low molecular weight, a simple and well-defined structure, and are chemically synthesized. In contrast, “big molecule” drugs have high molecular weight, complex structures, and are derived from living organisms. For example, aspirin is small molecule while a monoclonal antibody is a big molecule. For further reading on big molecules, consider FDA's resources on biologics.

Court Denies Hospira's Motion to Dismiss BPCIA Notice Claims in Amgen v. Hospira

The District Court (D. Del., J. Andrews) has denied Hospira’s Motion to Dismiss in Amgen v. Hospira. As we’ve covered previously (see our posts here and here), Hospira moved to dismiss Count I of Amgen’s amended complaint, in which Amgen seeks both a declaratory judgment that Hospira’s alleged refusal to provide Amgen with 180-days’ post-licensure notice of…

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Breaking News: AbbVie Files Complaint Against Amgen

AbbVie has filed a complaint against Amgen related to AbbVie’s Humira (adalimumab).  The complaint asserts patent infringement and also seeks a declaratory judgment to compel Amgen to comply with the BPCIA’s notice of commercial marketing provision. Stay tuned to Big Molecule Watch for more details later today.

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CVS to Replace Two Brand-Name Biologics with Follow-on/Biosimilar Products in 2017

Yesterday, CVS announced that it would be dropping two brand-name biologic drugs from its standard formulary (list of medications CVS will cover): Amgen’s Neupogen® (filgrastim), and Sanofi’s Lantus® (insulin glargine).  CVS will be replacing Neupogen® with Sandoz’s Zarxio® biosimilar product, and will replace Lantus® with  Eli Lilly & Co.’s Basaglar® product,…

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Australian Regulators Approve Samsung Bioepis's Etanercept Biosimilar Brenzys

On July 22, 2016, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration approved Samsung Bioepis’s biosimilar of Amgen’s Enbrel (etanercept), which is approved for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.  Samsung Bioepis’s product, called Brenzys, will be available as a pre-filled auto-injector and sold in Australia by Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Merck & Co.’s international subsidiary. Samsung…

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FDA Announces Biosimilar User Fee Rates for FY 2017

The FDA has announced the rates for biosimilar user fees for the 2017 Fiscal Year: FY17 BsUFA Fees Biological Product Development Initial $203,810 Annual $203,810 Application w/Clinical Data $2,038,100 w/o Clinical Data $1,019,050 Supplement w/Clinical Data $1,019,050 Product $97,750 Establishment $512,200 Reactivation $407,620 The biosimilar user fees for a given fiscal year…

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Amgen's Neulasta Declaratory Judgment Action Dismissed in District of New Jersey

On July 22, 2016, the District Court for the District of New Jersey granted Sandoz’s motion to dismiss Amgen’s declaratory judgment action related to Sandoz’s biosimilar of Amgen’s Neulasta (pegfilgrastim). As background,  Sandoz provided Amgen with required disclosures related to its pegfilgrastim biosimilar under § 262(l)(2) and (l)(3)(B) then sent Amgen a letter waiving receipt…

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